U's Bruininks eager to lure superb coach

University of Minnesota President Robert Bruininks is retiring in June, so when the Gophers' new football coach is hired, he won't know who his boss is. Bruininks is convinced he is in a good position to name an outstanding football coach.

Back in 1996, after Jim Wacker resigned, current Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops -- then a defensive coordinator for Steve Spurrier at Florida -- interviewed for the head football coaching job. Stoops eventually withdrew from consideration, and Glen Mason was hired in December of 1996.

However, after spending some time with Bruininks this week, I'm convinced he is going to go all out to find the coach who can develop a Big Ten championship team, which hasn't happened for the Gophers since they tied with Indiana and Purdue in 1967. The program has gone through seven head coaches since then.

There's no doubt Bruininks wants to remove the stigma of the Gophers football program during his stay.

I believe Bruininks made a great move when he named local public relations executive and big Gophers booster Dave Mona as a part-time assistant athletic director to consult with athletic director Joel Maturi in finding the right person.

"We are fortunate to gain the talent, extraordinary experience and deep commitment of Dave Mona to advance Gophers athletics and the University of Minnesota," Bruininks said.

Have worked with Mona for 29 years on WCCO, I can second that. There isn't a more loyal Gophers booster than Mona, and anyone more capable of helping the program.

"We are in the best position we have ever been to hire a new coach, with the new stadium and a lot of other things we have done to make the football job more attractive," Bruininks said. "And according to what I'm told, there will be fewer football coaches fired after this season than there have been for a long time, meaning that some top candidates will be available."

Both Mason and Brewster complained about the football budget not be competitive with other Big Ten schools. Bruininks said the Gophers' football budget ranks about fifth in the conference, and he indicated he would improve that if necessary.

Bruininks said the school is not in position to pay the $3.675 million per season that Iowa football coach Kirk Ferentz is drawing, but Bruininks pointed to the hiring of men's basketball coach Tubby Smith and his $1.8 million salary.

"We will compete for the best coach with other schools looking for a football coach," Bruininks said. "I believe the right coach can win here."

One of the moves Bruininks is going to make is to line up as many CEOs of the Fortune 500 firms in town and other top executives to become involved in the football program by forming a new club and getting them to help however they can do under NCAA rules.

Dream comes true For Vikings center Jon Cooper, who wasn't drafted out of Oklahoma in 2009 and wasn't a highly sought-after free agent, the calf injury to center John Sullivan caused him to realize a dream when he started against Dallas on Sunday. According to offensive line coach Pat Morris, Cooper did a good job blocking Cowboys Pro Bowl nose tackle Jay Ratliff.

Cooper recalled how down he was when he wasn't drafted.

"Absolutely I was disappointed, but it's worked out pretty well," Cooper said. "... It absolutely is a dream come true. I think it is for every kid in high school or peewee football. They all dream of getting to the NFL and getting to start, so it's absolutely a dream come true."

Why did he pick the Vikings over other free-agent offers?

"My agent and my family and me were kind of looking at things at the end of the draft and weren't sure if I was going to get drafted or not," said Cooper, who was on the practice squad for the first two weeks last season and then activated after that. "[We] looked at depth charts and centers and who was kind of available. Matt Birk had just left and Sully hadn't played yet and he was really the only center on the roster. It just looked like a great place to come and try to make the team."

Maturi sent an e-mail to all Gophers season ticket-holders notifying them of Brewster's dismissal. "... I believe we are in a great position to attract the right coach to lead our program," is part of the message Maturi sent. ... All of the contracts of the Gophers assistant coaches were tied to Brewster's contract, so all of them will be out of jobs as of Feb. 1 if they aren't hired by the new Gophers coach or some other school.

Steve Keogh, a five-time wrestling state tournament placewinner for Apple Valley and Thief River Falls/Goodridge, has committed to wrestle for the Gophers following his upcoming senior year.

Gophers baseball coach John Anderson, whose salary is $139,000 per year, has turned down a long-term contract and will go year by year. This season Anderson will get a 1.15 percent cut like all school employees. Anderson pointed out that Michigan baseball coach Rich Maloney is being paid about $350,000 per year and former Ohio State baseball coach Bob Todd, who retired last spring, made about $331,000 per year.

Naadir Tharpe, the Brewster Academy in Wolfeboro, N.H., point guard who was recruited hard by the Gophers, committed to Kansas. ... Brian Smith, youngest son of Gophers coach Tubby, is now an assistant basketball coach at Windermere (Fla.) Prep. ... Former Gophers basketball player Gary Holmes is now employed by Delta Airlines and is a charter coordinator for the airline. He supervises Twins and Timberwolves flights on their respective road trips.

The Wild announced its Year Ten All-Time Team as voted on by fans at www.wild.com. The players are Andrew Brunette, Marian Gaborik, Mikko Koivu, Brent Burns, Nick Schultz and Niklas Backstrom.